St. Patrick’s High School Keady E X C E L L E N C E E V E R Y D A Y F O R E V E R Y C H I L D

P R O S P E C T U S 2020

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PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME On behalf of the Governors, Staff and Pupils of St Patrick’s High School, I extend a very warm welcome to all the families who are considering St Patrick’s High School for their child’s post primary education. St Patrick’s High School, as a Catholic and LaSallian school, places great emphasis on our Christian values of inclusion, of mutual respect, of truth and justice. As a staff, we work to ensure pupils are encouraged, supported and challenged to fulfil their potential. Teaching and Learning is central to everything that we do at St Patrick’s. We offer a comprehensive curriculum and have a dedicated and progressive teaching staff, who are committed to developing a community of learners at our school. We also recognise the importance of providing our young people with leadership opportunities, and in St Patrick’s you will find a vibrant model of student leadership that actively promotes the pupil voice. We recognise that the transition from primary to post-primary education is a crucial period for both children and for their parents. We aim to make this journey one that is both exciting and as seamless as possible. Our transition model is quite unique in the extensive links that have been established over a number of years with our partner primary schools. It is our privilege to work with these schools, and for the children and young people of this community. I hope you enjoy browsing our school prospectus, which will give you an insight and flavour into some of the many wonderful and exciting opportunities that await you, our prospective pupils, if you choose to study at St Patrick’s High School. Dr F Moore Principal

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Our Daily Mission is 

Excellence Every Day for Every Child  

“ As a Catholic School, in partnership with parents and the community, St. Patrick’s High School seeks to provide children of all abilities with a secure, caring, stimulating and happy environment founded on values of hard work, personal integrity and quality learning and where all students are encouraged to develop their talents and character and to contribute positively to home, school, church and society.”  

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TRANSITION

A particular strength of the school is the highly

effective partnership with the local primary schools

which supports pupils’ transition, learning and

development.

The strategic approach to drive forward the effective learning partnership with the primary schools has

been a factor in improving teaching

and learning

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r 8 A Category A

Category A will be applied in the order set down

i Pupils whose normal place of residence or current primary school is within the traditional contributory parishes to St Patrick’s High School viz. Derrynoose (Keady, Madden), Middletown (Tynan), Kilcluney (Ballymacnab, Granemore, Clady).

Primary schools are as follows: Clea Primary School St John’s Primary School, Middletown Darkley Primary School St Joseph’s Primary School, Madden Foley Primary School St Mary’s Primary School, Granemore St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Keady St Michael’s Primary School, Clady Our Lady’s and St Mochua’s Primary School, Derrynoose. ii Children who, at the date of their application, have a child of the family currently enrolled at the

school. iii Pupils from primary schools which have traditionally contributed to the intake of St Patrick’s

High School viz. Christian Brothers’ Primary School, Armagh St Joseph’s Primary School, Caledon St Malachy’s Primary School, Armagh St Malachy’s Primary School, Ballymoyer St Michael’s Primary School, Newtownhamilton St Patrick’s Primary School, Armagh Mount St Catherine’s Primary School, Armagh iv All other applicants.

B Sub-Criteria In the event of over subscription within any of the above criteria, the following sub-criteria will be

applied in the order set down to determine which pupils should be admitted:

i Preference will be given to younger pupils, before older pupils, established by date of birth as entered on a Birth Certificate.

Where two or more pupils have the same date of birth, pupils will be selected for admission on the basis of initial letter(s) of surname (as entered on birth certificate) in the order set out below:

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This order is determined by random selection.

YEAR ADMISSION NUMBERS

TOTAL APPLICATIONS ALL PREFERENCES TOTAL ADMISSIONS

2017/2018 160 161 161 inc 3 Stage 5 Pupils

2018/2019 160 177 177 inc 9 Stage 5 Pupils

2019/2020 160 175 175 inc 7 Stage 5 Pupils

APPLICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS TO YEAR 8

ii In the event of surnames beginning with the same initial letter, the subsequent letters of the surname will be used in alphabetical order. In the event of two identical surnames, the alphabetical order of the initials of the forenames will be used.

iii Computerised Random Selection.

C Notes Full responsibility rests with parents/guardians to provide sufficient and full details on

the Transfer Form to allow the Admissions Criteria to be fairly administered. Inaccurate or misleading information provided on or attached to a Transfer Form may prejudice an offer or a place and may lead to the withdrawal of a place awarded to an applicant who has thereby gained an improper advantage.

Duty to Verify The Board of Governors reserves the right to require such supplementary evidence

as it may determine to support or verify information on any Transfer Form. The provision of false or incorrect information or the failure to provide information

within the deadlines set by post-primary schools can result in the withdrawal of a place and the inability to offer a place on the part of any school nominated on the applicant’s Transfer Form.

Charges and Remissions Policy In accordance with the policy of the Department of Education, the delivery of the

Northern Ireland Curriculum by St Patrick’s High School is free of charge. However, some additional activities such as instrumental tuition, music

examinations, school tours or trips and voluntary educational visits will be charged.

The Student Voice –

A Vibrant Leadership Model

The students are the central focus of our school and we firmly believe in involving our students in the decision-making process. Recognising that we need leaders at all levels, pupil participation in the leadership of the school is crucial for our success. We have a Senior and a Junior Leadership Team who work closely together to ensure that the Student Voice is listened to and heard.

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St. Patrick’s High School is a LaSallian school and seeks to make the vision of St. John the Baptist de la Salle a lived experience.

These are the five truths on which a LaSalle School is founded

Gospel values must permeate the life of a LaSallian school in such a way that pupils internalise those values. Human and Christian education: We aim for excellence in the spiritual, academic and vocational spheres, and seek to integrate them. Our curriculum is adapted to the needs of the pupils as individuals and as members of society. Teaching as a vocation: The work of teaching is a ministry in the life of the Church, modelled on the role of Jesus the teacher and Good Shepherd. All the staff at the school have a deep pastoral concern for the pupils as individuals.

In and by association: Everyone involved in a LaSallian school has a part to play in forming a living educational community based on mutual respect and acceptance of one another. The LaSallian school is outward looking. We reach out to the world which surrounds us. In particular, we show a special concern for the poor: for young people who are disadvantaged, underprivileged, excluded or marginalised in any way.

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PASTORAL CARE

Pastoral Care in St Patrick’s High School has at its centre the recognition of the uniqueness of each and every child in its care. We aim to create a safe and caring environment where each student is valued, challenged and supported to achieve their full potential. The welfare of the individual student is paramount and we promote the full academic and personal development of our students within a child-centred Christian environment. As a Catholic school, we aim to live by our Gospel values of Respect, Love, Solidarity, Truth and Justice. To translate this vision into everyday practice, each class completes their own Values Charter, and reflect daily on their performance. We expect the highest standards of behaviour from all of our students. Individual and class performance, attendance and behaviour targets are set and reviewed by pupils with their Form Teacher. Our reward system is linked to achievement of targets set. We have a strong Pastoral Care system providing a network of support for all individuals. Each student within the community of St Patrick’s High School is in the care of a Form Teacher who is guided by their Year Head. A Senior Leader is assigned to each year group and links closely with the Year Head to ensure quality of provision, intervention and support. The promotion of good relationships at all levels is fundamental. Consequently, we work in partnership with the school community and parents in the holistic education of our pupils and we pride ourselves in the positive relationships that we have forged. As a child-centred school, staff strive to meet the needs of pupils in a professional, caring manner. The following structures translate our caring ethos into practice.

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We, in St. Patrick’s High School, have a responsibility for the Pastoral Care, general welfare and safety of the children in our care. We carry out this duty by providing a caring, supportive and safe environment, where each child is valued f or his or her unique talents and abilities, in which all our young people can learn and develop to their full potential.

How a Parent can raise a concern:

If I have a concern about my/a child’s safety, I can talk to the Class/Form Teacher or Head of Year. If I am still concerned I can write or speak to the Acting Chair of the Board of Governors.

At any time, a parent can talk to a social worker at the Gateway Team Tel: 0800 7837745 or the PSNI Public Protection Unit Tel: 0845 6008000 If I am still concerned, I can talk to the Designated Child Protection Teacher/s.

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Head of Year 8 Mrs. A. O’Connor We place great emphasis on the importance of pastoral care in St Patrick’s and as Head of Year 8 it is part of my responsibility to secure a seamless transition from primary to secondary school. This process commences long before the pupils’ first day when the majority of them have the opportunity to participate in a variety of lessons, sporting competitions and open days here at St Patrick’s. The pupils meet with their Form Teacher every morning for registration and come together as a year group once a week, when assemblies are often organised and presented by the pupils themselves. This affords us the opportunity to celebrate successes on a regular basis. Together with the form teachers we ensure that the pupils’ needs are at the core of everything we do both academically and pastorally and that every child feels happy and safe in their learning environment. 

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Chaplaincy  Our Chaplaincy team, led by the School Chaplain, aims to serve all the members of our school community by offering encouragement, support and friendship. We help to create and nurture the Christian Ethos of our school through the Celebration of the Eucharist, Liturgy and Prayer. Our Christian ethos is also to be found in the very ordinary, day to day running of the school by our witness and awareness of the Christian values of truth, respect, compassion and love. Ethos is not an easy thing to describe but it can be felt and seen throughout the school.

“Dear young people, let us not be satisfied with a mediocre life. Be amazed by what is true and beautiful, what is of God!”

– Pope Francis

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EXCELLENCE EVERY DAY FOR EVERY CHILD

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EXCELLENCE EVERY DAY FOR EVERY CHILD

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CEIAG At St. Patrick’s High School, we invest significant time in supporting our pupils in all aspects of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). Pupils have the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the labour market of the future. We provide a diverse range of trips and visits, presentations, courses and work-related learning, where pupils can explore the range of exciting possibilities ahead of them. Through engaging in Personal Career Planning, they are able to identify and subsequently develop the skills, qualities and expertise, both inside and outside of the classroom, to meet the demands of tomorrow’s workplace. St. Patrick’s works in partnership with the Careers Service at periods of transition. Careers Education is embedded throughout the school curriculum, with up to date information available to all pupils in the main school library and Careers Department. The school actively promotes links with local industry, Third Level and Further Education establishments.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities Here are just a few ...

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Queen’s University Belfast Economics and Accounting

Ulster University Pharmacy

Dundalk Institute Construction

University of Limerick Aeronautical Engineering

Northumbria University Newcastle Applied Sciences

Liverpool Mechanical Engineering

University of East Anglia Norwich Medicine

London School of Beauty Beauty Therapy

OLIVIA GORMAN

SHAUN CASEY

My name is Olivia Gorman and I left St Patrick’s in 2015 after completing my A-levels. I continued my education at Ulster University, Coleraine for four years, studying Psychology with a placement year and recently graduated with a 2:1. I am now completing my Masters in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Queen’s University, Belfast alongside working as a classroom assistant in Lisanally Special School. My goal after completing my Masters is to practise as a Registered Behaviour Technician providing behaviour support for children with Autism, with the possibility of completing a PGCE and then specialising in Special Educational Needs teaching.

My name is Shaun Casey and I left St. Patrick’s High School in 2015 and went on to Queen’s University, Belfast where I studied English with Creative Writing for three years. After completing my degree, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to write a number of match reports for The Irish News and Gaelic Life as a freelancer. In May 2019 I started up my own blog called ‘The Sideline Eye’ writing match reports on all things GAA. My aim is to study Sports Journalism in Dublin, in the forthcoming year and continue providing match reports and analysis for the GAA, County Armagh.

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AISLING O’HARE

CALUM CALLAGHAN

My name is Aisling O’Hare and I was Head Girl in St. Patrick’s High School between September 2018 and June 2019. I studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at A-Level and achieved A*, A, A grades which allowed me to follow my chosen course at University. I am now studying an MSc in Applied Mathematics and Physics at Queen’s University Belfast. This degree route has opened up a range of possible career opportunities which I intend to research.

My name is Calum Callaghan and I was Head Boy at St. Patrick’s High School between September 2018 and June 2019. I studied A-levels in Economics, Business Studies and Software Systems Development. These subjects provided me with a plethora of career opportunities that I could have pursued at the next level. I decided to follow a degree pathway in Software Engineering at Queen’s University, Belfast and I am thoroughly enjoying my experiences in Third Level Education.

EXCELLENCE EVERY DAY FOR EVERY CHILD

St Patrick’s High School continues to demonstrate a high level of capacity for sustained improvement in the interest of all the learners.

Middletown Road, Keady, Co. Armagh, BT60 3TH Tel: +44(0)28 3753 1393 | Fax: +44(0)28 3753 8683 | Email: info@stpatricks.keady.ni.sch.uk www.stpatrickskeady.co.uk

ETI Inspection Report February 2017